How to Say ‘What are you drinking?’ in Simplified Chinese
你喝的是什么？
nǐ hē de shì shén me
[nee huh de shir shenme]
💬 Usage Tip: 你喝的 works like "the thing you're drinking", and 是什么 asks what it is. Swap the verb to reuse it: 你看的是什么？ "What are you watching?"
Phrase Breakdown
你喝的
nǐ hē de
What you're drinking
nǐ hē de: 的 turns 'you drink' into 'the thing you drink'. 的 is light and quick.
你喝的是茶吗？
Is what you're drinking tea?
Words in this phrase
你
nǐ
[nee]
you
The informal or neutral word for “you,” suitable for peers or casual conversation.
如果对方和你年纪差不多，可以说“认识你”。
If the other person is about your age, you can say “nice to meet you” with 你.
喝
hē
[huh]
to drink
The verb used for drinking beverages like coffee or tea.
我喜欢早上喝咖啡。
I like to drink coffee in the morning.
的
de
[de]
the one that; nominalizer
Turns a verb phrase into a noun, like 'what you drink'.
我买的是啤酒。
What I bought is beer.
是什么？
shì shén me
Is what?
shì shénme: 'is what'. Use a falling 'shì', then a rising 'shén' and a light 'me'.
这是什么？
What is this?
Words in this phrase
是
shì
[shir]
to be; is; are
A linking verb meaning 'to be.' It connects a subject with identity or description.
她是医生。
She is a doctor.
什么
shén me
[shenme]
what
Used for asking questions about things or actions.
你在做什么？
What are you doing?
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